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Five teams, down from seven last year, will take part in the 2025-26 edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Dhaka Capitals and Rangpur Riders are the only surviving teams from the 2024-25 season, with three other franchises – Chattogram, Rajshahi and Sylhet – having gone through ownership changes.This means Chittagong Kings, Durbar Rajshahi and Sylhet Strikers are out of the competition, with Chattogram Royals, Rajshahi Warriors and Sylhet Titans taking their place.Fortune Barishal, who won the last two editions of the BPL, and Khulna Tigers are out of the tournament entirely.The BCB’s media department announced the list of participating teams on Thursday, but did not reveal any details of the new ownership.The BPL player draft is set to take place on November 17. The tournament is likely to be held from mid-December 2025 to mid-January 2026.

Pakistan, meanwhile, are growing comfortable in Colombo conditions and hoping to challenge New Zealand

Madushka Balasuriya17-Oct-20251:08

Omaima: ‘The main challenge is playing the new ball’

Neither New Zealand nor Pakistan have had an ideal World Cup. The former is on three points after four games with just a solitary win, while Pakistan’s sole point has come courtesy a washout against England.That match, for all intents and purposes, should have been firmly locked under the wins column for Pakistan, but such has been the weather in Colombo that any result has been firmly at the behest of the weather gods.”I’ve been around this a long time and there’s lots of things you can’t control, and weather’s one of those. It’s just something that we’ve got to roll with,” New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said ahead of Saturday’s match against Pakistan.Related

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New Zealand look to stay in semi-final hunt against winless Pakistan

Rains have been forecast throughout the day for Saturday as well, but for Sawyer, the preparations remain the same with the past few days also allowing some time for reflection on their washed-out game against Sri Lanka.”I thought we bowled really well,” Sawyer said. “It was a target that we thought we could chase. We just didn’t get the chance to do that. So practised really hard the last couple of days and yeah, ready to go for Pakistan tomorrow.”For Pakistan too, the weather has proved an unwelcome guest, bringing their victory charge against England to an abrupt end. It was the first time this tournament that they had managed to produce a complete performance with the ball, and before rain ended play they were looking quite comfortable with the bat as well – an area they had struggled with in the lead-up to the game.”The pitches are supporting the bowlers, especially spinners. Our spin department and fast bowling department are also doing great,” Pakistan opening batter Omaima Sohail said. “But we need to step up in our batting.”Pakistan’s improvement is not something that has evaded Sawyer and New Zealand, who are acutely aware of what they are capable of.”Their top order is, they made it look like light work of maybe chasing down that total the other night,” he said. “So, they’ve been impressive. They’ve really challenged a couple of weeks or two of the top nations. So, been impressed in particular with their bowling.”2:14

Sawyer: ‘We’ve got to be really wary of the Pakistan attack’

One reason for this uptick has been their increasing familiarity with the conditions in Colombo, where batting hasn’t been the easiest. This will be just New Zealand’s second game at the Khettarama this World Cup, though the rains ensured they were unable to bat against Sri Lanka.”We played here four matches, so now we know what the situations and what the pitch acts [like],” Sohail said. “So, we know what to do in upcoming matches. We will do better hopefully.”For New Zealand their focus will be on trying to put up more complete performances. Their batting has been bolstered almost solely by runs from Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday, who have struck 260 and 142 runs respectively over their four matches. Sawyer however is confident that the rest of the team will come good sooner rather than later.”They’ve [Devine and Halliday] looked great and to me, I know it might sound a bit silly, but it’s really exciting,” Sawyer said. “Yeah, we have had probably two batters do the bulk of the work for us at the moment, so if we can get three or four firing at once, I think we can post some huge scores.”It’s a long tournament; it goes for a month. I think we’ve already been on the road a month, as every other team has, and you’re going to have people firing at different times and hopefully we’ve got some that are really going to fire towards the back end. So I’ve got no doubt those runs are coming.”

Danny Rohl’s start to life in charge of Glasgow Rangers on the European stage has not gone to plan so far, as he has lost both of his Europa League games without his side scoring a goal.

The former Sheffield Wednesday head coach, though, has inherited a team that struggled badly under Russell Martin, and will not have any of his own signings until the January transfer window.

Rohl took over from Martin after the Scottish manager only won five of his 17 games and one of his Scottish Premiership outings in the dugout for the Ibrox giants.

The German tactician has had an instant impact on the side in the Premiership. Rangers have won all three of their league games since his arrival at the club, and kept back-to-back clean sheets away from home.

A 3-0 win at Dens Park on Sunday means that the Light Blues can head into the final international break on a high, after goals from Nicolas Raskin, Mikey Moore, and Djeidi Gassama.

However, there are still some individuals within the squad who have been unable to step up. Bojan Miovski, for example, was hooked off at half-time against Dundee.

Why Rangers should be worried about Bojan Miovski

The Light Blus should be concerned by the Macedonia international’s dismal start to life at Ibrox, because he has yet to show any signs of replicating his form with Aberdeen.

Miovski was signed from Girona during the summer transfer window to bolster Martin’s options at the top end of the pitch, possibly because of his proven track record in Scottish football.

The left-footed forward’s return of 32 goals in 78 games in the Premiership for the Dons suggested that he was a safe and sensible signing to add goals to the Gers attack, but it has not played out that way.

Miovski has scored one goal in eight appearances in the top-flight for Rangers, against Falkirk, from an xG of 1.84, per FotMob, which suggests that he has underperformed as a finisher.

The Rangers centre-forward was given the nod to lead the line against Dundee at Dens Park, after coming off the bench against Roma last week, but he was unable to prove to Rohl that he deserves more starts on the other side of the international break.

As you can see in the table above, Miovski failed to register a single shot on goal in 45 minutes of action before being taken off at half-time. Whilst you could point to a lack of creativity behind him, his struggles in duels meant that he was unable to fashion chances for himself.

The Scottish giants, therefore, should be worried about the former Aberdeen marksman, because he has been at the club for several months now and is no closer to showing the kind of quality that earned him a good reputation in the Premiership in the past.

Miovski, though, was not the only Rangers player who failed to deliver an impressive performance in spite of the 3-0 victory against Dundee last time out.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Rohl must ruthlessly drop central midfielder Mohamed Diomande from the starting line-up when the Gers return to action on the other side of the international break, as he was just as bad as Miovski at Dens Park.

Why Rangers should drop Mohamed Diomande

The Ivorian midfielder was taken off by the German head coach at half-time, just as Miovski was, and was replaced by Scotland international Connor Barron.

Per Sofascore, Diomande lost 75% (3/4) of his duels in the opening 45 minutes of the game at Dens Park, which shows that he was too much of a lightweight in the middle of the park. That may have been why Rohl decided to take him off for Barron, who won 100% (2/2) of his duels in the second half.

The Rangers midfielder also failed to take any shots on goal, did not create any chances for his teammates, and did not attempt a single dribble, per Sofascore, which shows that he offered very little in midfield and was just as bad as Miovski, who was as ineffective in and out of possession.

Diomande, who was sent off against Genk in the Europa League in September, has endured a frustrating 2025/26 campaign after catching the eye with his impressive performances last term.

The left-footed star scored four goals and provided seven assists in 36 outings in the Premiership last season, but his form in and out of possession has dropped off a cliff this year.

As you can see in the table above, his defensive and offensive numbers are down across the board in the Premiership for the Gers, which shows that he has been unable to carry last season’s success over to the current one.

His underwhelming performance against Dundee on Sunday was simply the latest in a long line of disappointing performances from the central midfielder for the Light Blues in the 2025/26 campaign, as he has struggled in and out of possession throughout the season.

Given that Barron came on and showed great energy and desire to win 100% of his duels off the bench in the second half, Rohl should ruthlessly ditch Diomande from the starting XI for the clash with Livingston at Ibrox on the other side of the international break.

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By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 7, 2025

Miovski and Diomande both failed to offer enough quality on the pitch in the first half against Dundee, hence why they were hauled off at the break, and they should both lose their place in the starting line-up as a result of that.

The six-foot-six cricketer talks about how he evolved from a chubby kid to a death-overs specialist

Firdose Moonda09-Oct-2025If you’re interested in gaining height, Zimbabwe’s Richard Ngarava, who stands at 1.98 metres, is willing to let you in on his secret.”Anyone who asks me how I got tall, I tell them I only ate vegetables,” Ngarava says, the day after he helped Zimbabwe qualify for next year’s T20 World Cup. He is, of course, not being entirely serious, but his growth spurt from a “chubby and short” young teen to a lean, lanky one coincided with him deciding to take his health seriously.”I put myself on a diet, and I don’t even know why I did it,” he says. “At that time I was a batter and I bowled a bit of spin but in Grade Nine everything just changed. For close to four years, I was on a diet and I made sure I didn’t miss any gym sessions. As a young boy, I loved pizza and fried chicken but I cut those out and told myself I am going to eat fruits and vegetables, and drink water only. That’s when I became tall.”Related

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At the time, Ngarava was a student at Churchill School but playing club cricket in the area he grew up in, Harare’s Highfield, which is home to the famous Takashinga Cricket Club. Also part of the club was Blessing Muzarabani, presumably born tall and currently 2.07 metres. The pair became friends. “We went to different schools but we both played for the same Takashinga age-group team. We’ve been pushing each other since we were Under-12s,” Ngarava says.There was one important difference between the Ngarava and Muzarabani of the early 2000s and the players they are now. “Back then, Blessing was a legspinner and I was mostly a batter,” Ngarava says.Also, incidentally the first time he came to international attention it was, in fact, for something that happened when he was batting. At the 2016 Under-19 World Cup, Ngarava was run-out at the non-striker’s end by Keemo Paul of West Indies. Zimbabwe needed just two runs to win that match when Ngarava was dismissed. The run-out put West Indies in the quarter-final and sparked a debate about the spirit of cricket.”When it happened, I thought it was a ruse,” Ngarava says. “I was not really happy when I walked off the field and everyone else was not happy in the dressing room. We later understood that it was part of the game. But what I didn’t like about the situation was, there was no warning from anyone.”While bowlers are not obliged to warn batters who are backing up too far, and there is no rule against running out a batter at the non-striker’s end, in some circles it is thought of as polite to give a batter a warning. This has been at the heart of some of cricket’s culture wars in recent times.Has Ngarava ever thought of running a non-striker out while bowling? “At some point maybe. But then I figured, nah, I just want to play normal cricket. I don’t want to mess with people’s moods.”Ngarava got into fast bowling looking to hurt people but then realised he liked taking wickets more•AFP/Getty ImagesAgain, not entirely true, because Ngarava says he turned to fast bowling as a teenager because he quite enjoyed just hurting people. Slowly he started to change that outlook. Under the guidance of his school coach George Tande he discovered an ability to swing the ball. “I actually like taking wickets more than hurting people,” he realised.He made Zimbabwe’s age-group sides in his mid-teens and continued to represent Takashinga and was part of their first team. He credits them with his growth, particularly the club’s trips to Uganda, where they played that country’s national side. “We didn’t look at those as just normal games or club games, we looked at them as international games because we were playing Uganda,” he says.One day, when he was around 18, he received a call while he was in Uganda. It was his international call-up.Ngarava made his debut against Afghanistan in an ODI in 2017, and two and a half years after that, played his first T20I. Though he was always comfortable opening the bowling, he soon became interested in bowling at the end of an innings. “I wanted to be the best death bowler in the team,” he says. “But I ended up developing more skills as I played more games. I used to enjoy just bowling yorkers and short balls but I’ve now added some other skills to my game.”The appointment of Charl Langeveldt to Zimbabwe’s coaching staff in the middle of 2024 was a game changer for Ngarava. It was around then that he developed an important weapon.”The wobble seam has done so much for me,” he says. “Sometimes you don’t really know what the ball is going to do [with a wobbly seam] but I just want to target that fifth-stump line or fourth-stump line and whatever the ball is going to do there, I’m quite happy with it.”It’s different from the normal seam, where you can actually see the seam from the hand and it’s easy to pick. I’ve seen the English bowlers are doing it now more often, where they’re wobbling the ball. It’s also different from Jimmy Anderson, where he actually had to make sure that his seam is up for him to swing the ball.”Ngarava got a first hand-hand look at the English bowlers when Zimbabwe toured there earlier this year to play a first Test in that country in over two decades. He was named in the starting XI and bowled nine overs in the first innings but could play no further part in the match after suffering a back injury on day one.Ngarava is ferried off the field after he hurt his back in the Test against England earlier this year•PA Photos/Getty Images”It’s not a nice feeling to get injured and still get to hang around the ground and see the boys playing,” he says. “It was really disappointing considering it was historic. We hadn’t played England for so long and I also wanted to perform,” he says. “I felt bad for the team and I asked myself, ‘Is this the right time to get injured?’ even though I knew I couldn’t control it. I tried to hide those emotions and didn’t show them to anyone.”The issue was caused by a bulging vertebral disc and Ngarava has not played in any of Zimbabwe’s four Tests since. That has been tough because he says playing the longest format is “something that I really want to do”. Of course, Zimbabwe are not part of the World Test Championship, and for now, their focus is on the next two major white-ball tournaments: the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup. They will co-host the latter with South Africa and Namibia.Getting to the first of those was crucial for maintaining the relevance of Zimbabwe cricket, after they were the only Full Member to miss out on the 2024 T20 World Cup because they lost to Uganda in the qualifiers. This time, Zimbabwe beat Uganda easily, Ngarava removed their best batter Raizat Ali Shah and also finished as the joint leading bowler at the event. In the process he also became the first Zimbabwean to 100 T20I wickets.Ordinarily you would expect a team and one of their key players to celebrate under the circumstances, but Zimbabwe and Ngarava are just relieved. “It was quite nice to qualify in front of the Harare fans but everyone is not really expressing the way they feel,” he says. “Maybe guys are still not sure that we actually qualified. Everyone is just calm about it because we’ve got that understanding of us wanting to actually play for the team more than individual performances.”But there is also excitement. “I can’t wait to be on that plane to India and Sri Lanka and then also play the 50-over World Cup, and hopefully we will do something for the fans.”Ngarava already has some experience of Sri Lanka from his time in the Lanka Premier League in 2023 and on two tours there for Zimbabwe. His LPL appearance was the first of several league gigs, including the BPL and the ILT20, though he hasn’t yet played a game in those last two leagues. Most recently he picked up a deal at Sharjah Warriors in the ILT20, for whom he hopes to play in the UAE ahead of the T20 World Cup. His new-ball partner, Muzarabani, will also be there, for Gulf Giants, as the two bowlers’ journeys continue to mirror each other.”It’s funny how we’re both now seam bowlers,” Ngarava says. “I don’t really know how it happened,” But he does. They’re both very, very tall and he knows how that helps. “Before talent or before anything else, having good height as a fast bowler gives you an extra advantage.”

Mohammed Shami, Mayank Markande, Nitish Rana, Donovan Ferreira and Arjun Tendulkar will also play for new teams in IPL 2026

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Nov-2025Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have finalised the player trade that will see Sanju Samson headed to CSK in exchange for allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, the IPL confirmed on Saturday morning.It is one of the most high-profile player trades in IPL history. Samson, who led RR from 2021 until the previous season, had been retained for INR 18 crore ahead of IPL 2025. CSK had also retained Jadeja for the same amount, while they had acquired Curran in the auction for INR 2.4 crore. Samson will go to CSK for the same fee, but Jadeja’s fee has been revised to INR 14 crore. Curran’s fee remains the same.”Rajasthan Royals gave me my first platform and my first taste of victory,” Jadeja said in a RR statement. “Coming back feels special – it’s not just a team for me, it’s home. Rajasthan Royals is where I won my first IPL, and I hope to win more with this current group of players.”Samson spent 11 years at RR, but had indicated after IPL 2025 that he was looking for a change and wanted to be released by RR.For Jadeja, it is a return to the franchise with whom he started his IPL career, in the inaugural season in 2008. Jadeja had been with CSK since 2012 barring the 2016 and 2017 seasons when the franchise was suspended, and was even appointed captain in 2022 but handed the captaincy back to MS Dhoni after a poor start to the season.For Curran, it will be a third IPL franchise, having shuttled between CSK and Punjab Kings between 2019 and 2025.”Jadeja coming back to the Royals is incredibly special for all of us. He understands the franchise and the fans, having been part of RR’s IPL-winning campaign,” Kumar Sangakkara, RR’s director of cricket, said. “Over the years he has grown into a player who can influence the game in every department. His experience, composure, and competitive edge will add immense value to our group.”Sam brings a different but equally important dimension. He’s fearless, adaptable, and thrives in pressure situations with both bat and ball. Together, Jadeja and Sam give us balance, leadership, and the kind of match-winning depth we want as we build for the future.”Letting go of Jadeja and Curran was done after consultations with the players, CSK managing director Kasi Viswanathan said. “The decision was taken with mutual understanding with both Jadeja and Curran. We are deeply grateful for Jadeja’s extraordinary contributions and the legacy he leaves behind. We wish both Jadeja and Curran the best for the future. We also welcome Sanju Samson, whose skill-set and achievements complement our ambitions. This decision has been made with great thought, respect, and a long-term vision.”Nitish Rana will now turn out for Delhi Capitals•BCCI

Shami, Nitish Rana, Ferreira, Tendulkar traded

As reported by ESPNcricinfo on Friday, Mohammed Shami will turn out for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2026 after being traded by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Shami, the second-most expensive acquisition for SRH ahead of the IPL 2025 season at INR 10 crore, will move to LSG at his existing fee.Some of the other updates on the day were those involving Mayank Markande, Arjun Tendulkar, Nitish Rana and Donovan Ferreira.Rana, who has featured in over 100 IPL games and has even led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), moves from RR to Delhi Capitals (DC), and will continue at his existing fee of INR 4.2 crore.For Markande, it’s a return home of sorts, as he returns to his original team Mumbai Indians (MI) from KKR. He will also be at his existing fee of INR 30 lakh.Ferreira, the South African allrounder, returns to his first team, RR, after being traded out by DC, that too with a salary hike. His fee has been revised from INR 75 lakh to INR 1 crore.Tendulkar, meanwhile, travels from MI to LSG at his existing fee of INR 30 lakh.

Jamie Carragher took aim at one Liverpool star, who was “really poor” against Sunderland, as Arne Slot’s side endured another mixed evening at Anfield.

Liverpool struggle at Anfield yet again

After victory over West Ham United last weekend, Liverpool looked to their game against Sunderland as an ideal chance to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League and stop the rot. The Black Cats had different ideas, however, and soon reminded the Reds why they find themselves in the position they’re in.

In many ways, Chemsdine Talbi’s deflected effort summed up Liverpool’s recent fortunes. With the Premier League champions entering the game off the back of two Anfield losses, the last thing they needed was for Virgil van Dijk’s block to find the back of Alisson Becker’s net.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Dec 3, 2025

One positive for Liverpool in recent weeks has been the form of Florian Wirtz, though, and at long last the German made his mark in the Premier League. His effort went down as a Nordi Mukiele own goal, but there’s no doubt that one of the summer’s most expensive signings stepped up to get his side level.

It was far from a vintage display from the champions, but they’ll at least be relieved to avoid another defeat. Following victory at West Ham, Slot’s side should see the Leeds United game this weekend as the opportunity to turn the narrative to two wins from three games in the same week.

That said, whether Alexander Isak plays a part this weekend remains to be seen. The Swede didn’t follow up from last weekend’s first Premier League goal for the club and had just 15 touches, much to Carragher’s frustration.

Jamie Carragher slams "really poor" Alexander Isak

Watching on from commentary, Carragher slammed Isak as “really poor” and said that the forward has no “excuses” for his disappointing form at this stage of the campaign.

After smashing their transfer record to welcome the £280,000-a-week star, Liverpool were in dreamland in the summer. Alas, that dream has quickly turned into a nightmare for all involved.

Isak has gone from strike to strike-less at times. Liverpool sit eighth and their attack has never seemed so toothless under Slot. With Hugo Ekitke also struggling to find the back of the net in recent weeks, there’s no doubt that the Reds have an attacking problem on their hands.

It doesn’t get any easier, either. On paper, a trip to a newly promoted side should be a routine affair, but Liverpool will be squaring off against a Leeds side who just defeated Chelsea.

Before then, Slot simply has to find a way to get Isak more involved. With just 15 touches, the Swede was always likely to struggle.

Liverpool open talks this week to sign "monster" Real Madrid target

Como winger Assane Diao is in line to be called up to the Senegal national team for the Africa Cup of Nations, but Cesc Fabregas wants him to stay at the Serie A side for the time being. The 20-year-old has been limited to just four appearances in the Italian top-flight this season, sparking the coach to claim his involvement at AFCON is "illogical".

Injury problems at the root of Fabregas' decision

Diao moved to Italy in January after spending a season and a half at La Liga side Real Betis and quickly established himself as a crucial member of Fabregas' squad, securing eight goals and an assist in 15 Serie A appearances last season. In April, however, he suffered a broken foot and missed out on their last five Serie A fixtures of the campaign as well as the initial stages of the 2025-26 season. Diao made a comeback in late October, where he played 45 minutes against Parma. The Senegalese winger was slowly reintegrating him back into the lineup, but was called up to the Senegal team this month. Despite having an adductor issue, he participated in two training sessions for the African side, only to get further injured and return to Italy.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportFabregas finds Diao's national team call-up illogical

The 20-year-old has a hamstring injury, which will keep him out for a few games. Although Fabregas has mentioned his probable return date, he does not want the winger to return to the Senegal camp, with his major concern being the player's fitness ahead of the competition's December 21 kick off.  

"I don't want to send him to the African Cup of Nations? For me it's illogical," he said. "He's been out for seven months, he's played three games, now he's going to the national team, he'll get injured and be out again. Then maybe he'll go back to Senegal. In the player's mind, you have to do things right. For me, it doesn't make sense. They won't care, but we want what's best for the player. He shouldn't go. He went to training camp with Senegal with a minor adductor problem and did two training sessions. Then he got injured and came back here. We'll try to get him back with Inter, but it's more likely that we'll have him back with Roma."

Fabregas wants to face Torino with 'great attention'

Como sit eighth in the Serie A table after 11 games, having lost just one match so far. They are up against a Torino side sitting four points and places below them on Monday, and a win would see them leapfrog Juventus into sixth.

"You always have to approach every match at your best. If you think it's going to be difficult mentally, then it definitely will be," Fabregas said as his side prepare to take on a side on a six-game unbeaten run. "We have to win it with our own game, with what we have to offer. But we need to be more ambitious and get more points than we currently have. We had lots of chances to make it 2-0 against Cremonese, the penalty in Naples, and three or four chances to score in Cagliari. We need to manage it better, without losing our defensive stability. Torino are a team that play 5-3-2, with experienced defenders. [Kristjan] Asllani scored and comes from Inter, he's a great player. You know [Cesare] Casadei, he comes from Chelsea. Che Adams is an international player, [Cyril] Ngonge is a difference-maker for his team, he won the league with Napoli and I really like him. They are a well-organised team, and [Marco] Baroni is a great manager. The atmosphere, the stadium and the fans are also strong. We must go there with great enthusiasm, even if after the international break we must approach the match with great caution."

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Como?

Como will have three crucial fixtures after the Torino game, which might also shape their objectives for the rest of the campaign. On November 28, they'll welcome Sassuolo, and will later travel to the San Siro to face Inter on December 6. Post that, they'll meet Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma in yet another away game on December 15. 

Jordi Alba has rubbished comparisons between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, claiming that Barcelona’s all-time leading goalscorer “has no rival”. Teenage wonderkid Yamal has been thrust into an obvious debate ever since he stepped out of the La Masia academy system. He has become a global superstar in his own right, but there will never be another Messi.

Messi vs Yamal: La Masia graduates always being compared

Alba, who spent many happy years alongside the iconic Argentine at Camp Nou and is now a club colleague of the all-time great at MLS side Inter Miami, has always considered Messi to be the best in the business.

Yamal, at 18 years of age, is showing signs that he could tread a similar path. Records have tumbled around the youngster on the back of making his senior debut at just 15. As a left-footed forward that glides past opponents and boasts an unerring eye for goal, he was always going to be likened to Messi.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALNobody like Messi! Alba steers clear of Yamal debate

Alba is, however, eager to steer clear of that discussion. He told when naming three other Barca stars that deserve the same amount of credit as Yamal: “I think he's a great player, but there are others at Barca, like Pedri, Gavi, [Frenkie] de Jong. And I'm leaving out many. I think comparing him to Leo… there's no comparison, but that's because Leo has no rival.”

Alba is preparing to sever professional ties with Messi. While the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has committed to a new three-year contract at Inter Miami, his close friend has decided to retire at the end of the 2025 MLS Cup play-offs.

Explaining that decision, 36-year-old full-back Alba said: "Honestly, physically I could have lasted another year or two. But because of how I've felt, especially at the beginning of the season, and because of the new projects that are coming up…

“It's a well-considered decision, and I'm very clear about it. I'll miss football, but I'm happy with what I've been able to achieve. I still enjoy the matches, but the day-to-day grind and traveling every week is harder. The enthusiasm you have at 20 years old fades. When you have a family, it shows.”

Retirement calls: Will Suarez follow Alba & Busquets?

Sergio Busquets is heading into the same direction, as he prepares to hang up his boots, with Alba adding on his fellow former Barcelona legend: “His retirement? Obviously, these decisions are very personal. We've talked about the situation we were in during the year. It's a decision for each of us. I'm lucky to share a team and a friendship with him; our families also get along very well. We live very close to each other in the same residential area.”

Luis Suarez is another ex-Barca star that is yet to decide what the immediate future holds for him. The Uruguayan striker has struggled with knee problems in recent times, but continues to score goals ahead of turning 39 in January.

Alba added on Suarez potentially playing on alongside Messi: “There he is, the guy. I don't know if he has a contract for years, but it's everyone's own decision. It's not just about changing teams anymore, it's about quitting football, what you've done your whole life. I'll be sad, but it hasn't been hard for me. I've accepted it and I'm taking it calmly.”

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Getty/GOALMSN reformed: Will Neymar reunite with Messi & Suarez?

It has been suggested that Messi and Suarez could see their fabled ‘MSN’ strike force with Neymar reformed in 2026. That is because the Brazilian superstar is running down his contract at Santos and heading towards free agency.

Any move to Florida would generate plenty of interest, with some headlines being stolen away from Yamal in Europe. The teenage wonderkid does, however, appear to be destined for greatness himself – with some suggesting that he could go on to eclipse Messi’s record-shattering haul of Ballons d’Or. Yamal finished second in the 2025 Golden Ball vote, behind Ousmane Dembele, but has time very much on his side – unlike Alba and Busquets.

Fifties for Ben Charlesworth, Miles Hammond and James Bracey cement strong position against weakened hosts

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay08-Sep-2025Runaway Division Two leaders Leicestershire edged closer to winning promotion for the first time in their history even though Gloucestershire had the better of things at the Uptonsteel County Ground, finishing day one of their Rothesay County Championship clash on 382 for 7.Needing 20 points from their final three fixtures to be sure of playing Division One cricket next season, they already have two of those. With third-placed Derbyshire able to claim only one batting point at Lord’s, they effectively need 16 more.They have work to do here, though, with Gloucestershire in a strong position, even after losing Graeme van Buuren for 101 from the penultimate ball of the day.The South African-born allrounder 14 fours and a six in a fine, 143-ball innings, supplemented by half-centuries from Ben Charlesworth, James Bracey and Miles Hammond after Gloucestershire’s interim skipper Bracey chose to bat first.Leicestershire veteran Chris Wright took 3 for 56 and left-arm quick Josh Hull 3 for 79, although the 21-year-old’s day ended somewhat ignominiously when a second full toss above waist height saw him ordered out of the attack for the remainder of the innings. Regularly called for overstepping too, Hull racked up 11 no-balls in total.Gloucestershire, themselves not mathematically out of the running for a promotion place, made two changes from their most recent Championship side. Cameron Bancroft and Todd Murphy have both returned to Australia.Leicestershire made five. Peter Handscomb, whose captaincy has been an important element of the county winning six matches so far, has also gone home for the Australian domestic season, giving the armband to Ian Holland, who had not previously led a team at senior level.The availability of Shan Masood, who is staying on after his white-ball stint, and the arrival from Middlesex of Steve Eskinazi, bolstered the batting but with Rehan Ahmed on England duty and Ben Green recalled from loan by parent club Somerset, injuries to Tom Scriven and Liam Trevaskis further weakened their bowling hand.They seemed to feel it in a morning session which, apart from 10 minutes or so during Hull’s opening burst of the day, belonged to the visitors, who were 129 for 2 at lunch after Charlesworth took advantage of too many easy scoring opportunities offered up by the home attack with 10 fours in reaching 52 from 75 balls.Hull’s two successes came as 21-year-old Joe Phillips, opening in regular captain Bancroft’s place, was bowled off an inside edge by a yorker-length delivery and Ben Cox took a diving catch behind the stumps to remove Ollie Price.Leicestershire stemmed the flow of boundaries in the afternoon, earning an important breakthrough when Wright, now well into the autumn of his career, produced a delivery from his heyday to hit the top of Charlesworth’s off stump.Another came when Hammond, becoming increasingly frustrated despite reaching fifty for the eighth time this season, was tempted into pulling a shorter delivery from Hull and was caught at deep backward square. The innings took him past 800 runs for this season but he is still without a century.From 230 for 4 at tea, however, Gloucestershire advanced to a position of strength by the close, Leicestershire’s cause not helped by some untidiness creeping back into their bowling.Apart from Hull’s waywardness and subsequent removal, Ben Mike struggled for rhythm, conceding four boundaries to Bracey in the same over as the the left-hander quickly built on a 92-ball half-century, although he did have the misfortune to see van Buuren caught off a no-ball on 55.Worryingly for the home side, Mike limped off before the close with what looked like another recurrence of his recent hamstring problems.Leicestershire had to wait until the second new ball became available to make another breakthrough but two wickets in the space of six overs gave them a second bowling bonus point, Bracey edging to second slip attempting to drive Holland before Wright found some extra bounce and the edge of Jack Taylor’s bat, then trapping van Buuren in front to close proceedings for the day.

Gio Reyna has been set a 2026 World Cup challenge. Former USMNT star Brad Friedel, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, has told the talented Borussia Monchengladbach playmaker what needs to happen in order to make Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for next summer’s tournament, with nobody – regardless of their ability – guaranteed a place in those plans.

• Form & fitness challenges for Reyna

  Reyna is unquestionably one of the most naturally gifted performers at the United States’ disposal. He has been tipped for the top since bursting onto the senior scene as a teenager, with a similar career path to fellow countryman Christian Pulisic being trodden when linking up with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.

  Over 140 appearances were taken in for BVB, scoring 19 goals, but those numbers would have been considerably higher were it not for a string of unfortunate injuries. A fresh start is now being embraced with Gladbach – with more tests on form and fitness fronts being faced there.

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• Will Reyna make the USMNT squad for 2026 World Cup?

  Reyna did impress during his last international camp, registering goal number nine for his country in a friendly win over Paraguay, but questions continue to be asked of whether – having endured a tough time at the 2022 World Cup – he will be involved at another major tournament on home soil.

  Quizzed on whether the creative 23-year-old is in a position where a World Cup berth is his to lose, ex-USMNT goalkeeper Friedel – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “With Mauricio it is different, you have to go and impress and then you have to improve. There is no ‘you did well for me last month, you did well the month before’. That’s not how he goes about his business.

  “Once you impress, he will put a little higher bar on you and then you have to reach that bar. Then he will see if you can go again. The way that he performed, and I don’t know how he conducted himself in training, but let’s say it was positive, then they will watch him now with his club and see when he comes into camp again in March if he is lower. If so, he is already down in their minds again. If he comes in the same or higher, then he has impressed again.

  “That’s how they work. It’s the metrics, it’s building a squad of players that need to win – which is a better word than ‘want’ to win. What he has done right now is very good for him getting his foot back in the door. It’s not his to lose. Everyone goes on a level playing field, which is very different to what the US has been previously.”

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• Hot prospect: How Reyna can prove his worth

  Reyna knows that he faces fierce competition for places, and that he needs to steer clear of more spells on the treatment table in order to prove his worth. Friedel has previously told GOAL of how a hot prospect makes another global gathering: “With Gio, a lot of unfortunate stuff from the last World Cup, then injury after injury after injury. Talented, talented player. For Gio, he needs minutes and he needs not to be injured. Then we can see before the World Cup if he is ready. If he is, if he has a run of four or five months with no injuries, playing lots of minutes, he’s in the squad.

  “He’s a really talented player, one of the better ones we have. But he really does need to play. When I took the job at Besiktas, I was over at the Copa America and was watching. You could just tell there was something a little bit off. It’s not his ability, that is there. That’s not it. His body has unfortunately not cooperated with this sport.

  “Hopefully for him it goes well. He’s a really good kid and I hope he just stays fit, gets a run of games and then it will be down to Mauricio choosing him or not. I don’t like to see anybody get left out because of injury.”

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  2026 World Cup draw: When & where does it take place?

  Excitement levels in the USMNT camp are about to build even further, with their opponents for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup set to be revealed when that draws take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on December 5.